Chapter Sixty-Nine: Who Is His Master?

Yan Yuanqing, sitting in the audience, could only manage a bitter smile. His apprentice certainly had a knack for choosing the most dramatic moments and places. To introduce his own master at the National Conference of Traditional Medicine, in front of all these renowned experts—was he afraid that someone might forget his name?

Originally, Yan Yuanqing had hoped to keep a low profile at this forum, quietly listening to a few valuable speeches. Yet, the moment Yuan Hongyu began to speak, Yan Yuanqing knew that any hope of discretion had vanished. The entire hall was abuzz, everyone eager to know just who Yuan Hongyu's master could be.

Those seated near Yan Yuanqing had already begun to glance his way. When they caught sight of him, they paused for a moment, then quickly looked elsewhere, apparently assuming he was simply another promising disciple of some famous physician. Indeed, many esteemed doctors had brought along their favorite apprentices to gain some experience at this event.

Meanwhile, others were busy explaining to those around them that they had nothing whatsoever to do with Yuan Hongyu. This only added to the confusion.

If the person on the left had no connection to the famed physician Yuan, and the man on the right merely looked like someone’s apprentice, then just who was the master Yuan Hongyu had mentioned?

"At one point, I believed my medical knowledge had reached its limit—a bottleneck, a height I could never surpass,” Yuan Hongyu continued. “But my master appeared, opening the door to an entirely new world, showing me what lies beyond. My master’s skills far exceed my own. I have nothing worthy to share with you; words cannot describe what I have learned. If possible, Master, would you be willing to say a few words?"

With that, Yuan Hongyu’s gaze rested on Yan Yuanqing.

Yan Yuanqing sat there, still wearing that wry smile. His apprentice was perfect in every way—except, perhaps, for being too considerate. There was likely no one who could have orchestrated a moment like this better than Yuan Hongyu, finding a way to give his master such recognition at such an occasion.

He had wanted nothing more than to remain unnoticed, but his disciple simply would not allow it.

All eyes followed Yuan Hongyu’s line of sight. Those farther away, unable to make out the details, began to voice their own hopes, wishing this mysterious master would step forward and speak.

At this point, even if Yan Yuanqing wanted to escape, it was already too late. The gaze of every person in the hall seemed to be searching for this enigmatic teacher. Yet he merely sat there, appearing somewhat out of place, as if he had no purpose at all.

When everyone finally realized that Yuan Hongyu’s gaze was fixed upon Yan Yuanqing—a young man who appeared barely past his twenties—the room was filled with utter astonishment. No one could believe that the famous Physician Yuan was referring to someone so young.

"How can this be? Surely, we must be mistaken—this young man can’t be more than his early twenties. How could he possibly be Physician Yuan’s master? It makes no sense!” someone whispered.

“Exactly! With Physician Yuan’s status, how could he acknowledge a child as his master? We must have the wrong person. Let’s look again!"

"But then, there doesn’t seem to be anyone else who could fit the role. Could it be that this young man is truly his master?"

The crowd buzzed with debate. Normally, the audience would remain silent while others spoke on stage, but today, no one cared for decorum. The scene unfolding before them was simply too shocking—almost beyond belief.